Formation and characterization of crosslinked membranes for alkaline fuel cells

An anion-exchange membrane was developed using a poly(epichlorhydrin) as matrix. In order to ensure anionic conduction properties, two cyclic diamines were incorporated into the matrix: 1,4-diazabicyclo-[2,2,2]-octane (DABCO) and 1-azabicyclo-[2,2,2]-octane (Quinuclidine). The membrane was then consolidated by thermal or photochemical crosslinking. Our work consisted first in optimizing the membrane formation. A characterization of the membrane by DMTA analysis was used as a tool for optimization. The electrochemical performances of the membrane were evaluated, mainly ionic conductivity and transport number. Then an alkaline laboratory fuel cell using the membrane was assembled, with performances reaching nearly 100 mW/cm2 at room temperature. With a view to a future industrialization of the membrane formation, a laboratory scale equipment for the coating of the membrane solution on a support was proposed.